Tamil Nadu - Thanjavur   

Water released for Kuruvai cultivation

THANJAVUR : Water was released from Grand Anicut for Kuruvai cultivation in the Cauvery delta districts on Thursday.

As the shutters were lifted at Cauvery, Vennar, Grand Anicut and Kollidam systems in the Anicut, water gushed out of the sluices much to the delight of the farmers and people who have gathered at the Anicut.

After offering pujas to Lord Anjaneya, and Lord Ganesa at the temples located at the Anicut, State Ministers R.Vaidyalingam and N.R.Sivapathy, O.S.Manian MP, C.Suresh Kumar, Collector (in-charge), Thanjavur, C.Munianathan, Collector, Tiruvarur, T.Munusamy, Collector, Nagapattinam, P.Balasubramaniam, Chief Engineer, PWD, S.Asokan, Superintending Engineer, PWD, K.A.Nagarajan, Exeuctive Engineer, Karaikal representing Puducherry government lifted the shutters at the Anicut. They sprayed paddy seeds to mark the beginning of the Kuruvai season.

Water reached the Anicut in the afternoon and it was released at 6 p.m. Water weeds formed a green carpet on water thus making the full water portion of the Anicut to look green.

There was a slight drizzle. Later briefing presspersons, Mr.Vaidyalingam, Minister for Housing, said that for the first time after Independence, Mettur dam was opened on June 6, ahead of the traditional date of opening on June 12, this year for Kuruvai cultivation. Advance release of water will help farmers to save the Kuruvai crop from getting caught in the North east monsoon in October and November during harvest.

From Grand Anicut, 4000 cusecs each is released into Cauvery and Vennar systems, 1500 into Grand Anicut Canal systems and 500 cusecs into Kollidam system.

The Minister said that quantum of water released will be increased depending upon the need. Kuruvai will be raised on 40,000 hectares in Thanjavur district, 38,000 hectares in Nagapattinam district and 40,000 hectares in Nagapattinam district. In total, Kuruvai will be released on 1,18,000 hectares in the three districts.

The Minister said that desilting works taken up by the PWD Department will be completed before water reached tail end areas. There is adequate stock of fertiliser. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has also written to Central government seeking more fertilizers.

MLAs Ranthanasamy (Thiruvaiyaru), Rangasamy (Thanjavur), Balasubramanian, Joint Director of Agriculture, Thanjavur participated in the function.

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